'I wanted to give something back,' says Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer at new York charity superstore
Yorkshire Cancer Research has opened a ground-breaking York superstore, its biggest shop to date. To mark the occasion, volunteers share their stories as take part in a fashion photoshoot. Yorkshire Post Fashion Editor Stephanie Smith goes shopping.
Charity shops are not what they used to be. They are much brighter, better and bigger - much bigger. Witness the new Yorkshire Cancer Research superstore in York, which is busy transforming the traditional charity outlet into an immersive shopping experience, a place to meet and learn, as well as find high quality fashion and home wares.
The 13,000 sq ft store, at Foss Island Retail Park, is the biggest Yorkshire Cancer Research shop to date, with two floors.
A new generation of British charity shop, it is estimated that it will raise more than £175,000 to help fund life-saving cancer research and services in Yorkshire in the next year.
People in Yorkshire are more likely to have their lives cut short by cancer than almost anywhere else in England, and Yorkshire Cancer Research is dedicated to changing this, working in partnership with researchers, clinicians, the NHS, public health bodies and other charities to pioneer new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in Yorkshire.
The York superstore brings together three carefully designed shopping areas under one roof. On the ground floor is clothing, shoes and accessories, both men’s and women’s fashion. There is also a homewares section and picture gallery.
Upstairs is the bookstore, alongside children’s clothing and toys, and a dedicated vintage area offering classic vinyl and other retro products.
The upstairs floor has also been designed with the community in mind, with open seated spaces to meet and unwind. A designated room will also be available for local groups to use later in the year.
Yorkshire Cancer Research has placed its charity supporters at the heart of the superstore, with light boxes and a photo feature wall showcasing some of the fundraisers, volunteers and people affected by cancer who make a vital contribution to its life-saving work.
They sort donations, create displays, serve and greet shoppers, and in doing so, play a crucial role in the charity’s mission to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire.
Retired childminder Chris Moss, 68, from York, volunteers in memory of her husband, Geoff, whom she supported as he received treatment for throat, mouth and multiple skin cancers. After 40 years together, he sadly died in June, 2025.
“I wanted to give something back,” Chris said. “To watch somebody you love experience what my husband did with cancer was heart-breaking. Despite the difficulties he faced, Geoff was a wonderful man. We married in 1984, and I feel very lucky to have been with him for over four decades.”
Chris now uses her skills, including ones she developed as a Betty’s Tea Room server for 20 years, to welcome customers to the York superstore. “The atmosphere is just amazing and everything is beautifully displayed. I love meeting and talking to new people, especially children, so working upstairs in the children’s toy and clothing section – and contributing to pioneering cancer research at the same time – is my idea of heaven.”
Anne Thackeray, a 64-year-old retired nurse and fashion lover, travelled from Scarborough to be one of the first visitors to see the new store. After surgery for her breast cancer in 2022, Anne struggled for more than two years to recover until she joined Active Together, the research-backed cancer exercise treatment service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.
“How lovely for people to come to a warm, welcoming place like this, have a browse in the shop and talk to others,” she said. “The store won’t just help people affected by cancer in York. I know the items sold will go towards expanding services like Active Together, helping more people with cancer in Yorkshire live healthier, happier lives.”
Shindo Kaur-Mold from Ilkley started volunteering in May 2024 and became deputy manager at her local Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in January 2025. “I really enjoyed my time as a volunteer,” she said. “You can learn a variety of skills, make new friends and have fun with people from all walks of life. You also see first-hand the impact of donations, how we re-use, re-purpose and recycle products to help raise vital funds for future research.”
In the early 1990s, the charity funded renowned researcher Professor Norman Maitland, whose work at the University of York led to significant advancements in prostate cancer treatment.
During the same period, Professor Jo Milner led her team at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit in York to make ground-breaking discoveries in cancer genetics and the development of a world-first technique to eliminate cervical cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
Now the charity is funding £75m of ground-breaking research and services for the benefit of all people living in Yorkshire to ensure they receive the best cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
This includes the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma (GTR) cancer study funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and led by researchers at the University of York, in collaboration with York Travellers Trust.
Tony Graham, director of Retail, Services and Operations at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “What began as a series of jumble sales organised by local charity supporters in 1965 led to the start of the charity’s first shop. Now, 60 years later, it’s thanks to supporters coming together – the researchers, the fundraisers and the volunteers – that Yorkshire Cancer Research is able to open its largest shop yet in York.
“This store allows us to generate the sustainable, year‑round income that is so vital to funding life‑saving cancer research and services across Yorkshire.
“Superstores like this help us reach new supporters, strengthen our presence in local communities and transform even more pre‑loved items into meaningful impact.”
The new York superstore will be open from 9.30am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk